Council (2011-2012)

President
Dr A. L. Shashi Mohan

Dr A. L. Shashi Mohan (b. 1950) obtained his M.Sc. in Chemistry from Bangalore University and Ph.D. in Solid State Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai. He started his career as CSIR Scientist at IIT-Bombay and worked there (1974-77) in the areas of electronic and thermal ceramics.
In 1977, Dr Shashi Mohan joined Grindwell Norton Ltd as a founder member of their R&D Centre at Bangalore. During his 22 years (1977-1999) at Grindwell, he had held various managerial positions in the R&D Centre and, Technical Ceramics Division. He made significant contributions in the development & commercial exploitation of several newer abrasives & ceramic products.
In 1999, after leaving Grindwell, Dr Shashi Mohan founded “VIPRA” – a Materials Technology firm offering Technical Consultancy as also dealing with Development & Manufacture of specialty abrasive & ceramic products for customised applications.
A Life Member of The Indian Ceramic Society (InCerS), Materials Research Society of India and, Aluminium Association of India and, a Fellow of Indian Institute of Ceramics, Dr Shashi Mohan was a member of DST-PAC on Materials, Mining and Mineral Engineering for 12 years. He has published more than 25 research papers, made15 conference presentations and, has 4 patents to his credit.
Dr Shashi Mohan has been an active member of the Bangalore Chapter. During his tenure as Hony Secretary (2000-02) and Chairman (2004-06), the Bangalore Chapter received the Best Chapter Award (2001, 2002 and 2005). He was also the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the 71st Annual Session of InCerS held on Jan 9-11, 2008 that was a highly successful one.

Vice President
Dr A. K. Chattopadhyay

Dr Arup Kumar Chattopadhyay obtained his M.Tech. (Chemical Tech.) with specialisation in Ceramic Tech. from the University of Calcutta and Ph.D. (Tech.) for his thesis entitled, “Kinetics of Dehydration and Rehydration of Aluminium Silicate Systems” from the same University in 70’s.
During his service, he successfully completed Global Management Development Programme from the University of Michigan – Business School USA, INSEAD- Fontainblau France and Orchestrating Winning Performance (OWP-2008) at IMD Lausanne, Switzerland.
He has a rich experience of more than 30 years in leading refractories industry in India like Dalmia Refractories, ACC – Refractories Division (Now ACE-Caldrys Refractories), Tata Refractories, etc in various business functions and was responsible for introducing innovative products / services which helped the organizations for their rapid growth.
Dr Chattopadhyay is a visiting faculty of the University of Calcutta. He has a number of publications in several technical journals and proceedings, and has presented about 80 technical papers in various national and international seminars.
Dr Chattopadhyay has been awarded the “Refractory Technologist Award” by The Indian Ceramic Society in the year 1996. Presently he is the Managing Director of Tata Refractories Ltd (TRL) and Chairman of TRL-China. He is a member of the Research Council of Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata; Chairman, Refractory Sectional Committee – MTD-15 of Bureau of Indian Standards and Invitee to the CII – Orissa State Office. He is also a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the ‘Transactions of the Indian Ceramic Society’.

Hony Secretary
S. Chakrabarti

Mr Sachchidananda Chakrabarti obtained his M.Sc. (Chemistry) degree from Jadavpur University in the year 1966. He was the recipient of Post Graduate Atomic Energy Commission's (BARC) Scholarship. He joined the Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI), Kolkata in April 1970 and retired from the same organization in November 2004 as its Deputy Director and Head, Clay and Ceramics Section as well as Scientist-in-Charge, CGCRI, Khurja Centre.

Mr Chakrabarti has specialization in the field of glass, furnace, traditional ceramics and R & D management. He did pioneering work for taking common clay based technology in rural sector in different parts of India. He had rendered assistance to many renowned organizations like Bharat Electronics, Taloja, Gujarat Guardian, Gujarat, Owens Corning (India) Ltd, Bharat Ophthalmic Glass, etc. He has published 33 papers in National and International journals. He has 16 patents to his credit and developed six technologies. He has jointly edited the Proceedings of Energy efficient Environment friendly Rural Technology Development (EERTD-2002) and a technical book on Ceramics in Hindi entitled, “Pottery Parichay”.

Mr Chakrabarti has served as a Member of many Committees constituted by the State and Central Government as well as by the Director, CGCRI. He visited Japan, Nepal, Czechoslovakia and Taskent on different assignments. His contribution in the applied research programme of CGCRI, R & D management, Societal mission programme and his leadership quality were highly appreciated. A Life Member of the Indian Ceramic Society, Mr Chakrabarti is also a Life Member of the Indian Science Congress Association and Materials Research Society of India. He is a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Ceramics. He received three best paper awards (Ganpule, Malaviya and Deokaran awards) of the Indian Ceramic Society. He has been serving The Indian Ceramic Society since 2007 as Hony Secretary and has done many commendable jobs. He also served Indian Institute of Ceramics for the term 2003 & 2004 as Hony Secretary with distinction.

Hony Joint Secretary
Dr L. K. Sharma

Dr L. K. Sharma obtained his Ph.D. degree in Ceramic Engineering from the Institute of Technology (IT), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi in the year 1989. After serving several national and multinational companies, he joined Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CG&CRI), Khurja extension centre in August 2004. He developed nitride bonded silicon carbide refractory products for non-ferrous metal industries, porcelain and ceramic tableware industries, honey-comb cordierite for ceramic tableware industry, energy efficient ceramic coatings for kilns and refractory monolithics for super alloy industries.

Dr Sharma has delivered invited lectures in various industries (like Tata Chemicals, TISCO and DCM etc), institutes and universities (like IT-BHU, Charan Singh University, Vishvesaria Technological University, Faculty of Engineering, Agra College), management institutes (like Bajaj and Delhi School of Business), government ceramic institutes in UP, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Haryana. He has a number of publications (research papers and articles) to his credit. Under the leadership of Dr Sharma as Scientist-in-Charge, the CG&CRI, Khurja extension centre has done a lot of work for the development of ceramic tableware industry in Khurja, black pottery in Ajamgarh and GI registration of blue pottery in Jaipur, energy saving in cluster through dead mass reduction in kilns, utilization of waste heat in kilns, flue gas analysis of kilns and productivity improvement through various technological implementations. Dr Sharma and his team in CG&CRI, Khurja centre is in the process of setting up special purpose vehicle for dependent potters. CG&CRI, Khurja centre is the only institution in India providing T&D on eco-friendly glass beads and glass beads based jewelry making having full flashed set-up with modern cold process technology.

Dr Sharma is the recipient of several awards, viz. ‘Shubham Shree’ in 2010 by an NGO in Bulandshahar district for his contribution to the science and technology and ‘Best Industry Service Award’ in 2010 by Rotary Club for his contribution to the Khurja whiteware clusters. The Western UP Chapter of The Indian Ceramic Society, under his chairmanship, has grown significantly and was awarded the ‘Best Chapter Award’ in 2007 and 2010.

Dr Sharma was elected Joint Secretary of Indian Institute of Ceramics for the term 2008-2010. A Life member of The Indian Ceramic Society, he is the Founder Senior Vice President of BHU Alumni Association-NCR and a member of the American Ceramic Society.

Mr B. S. Ganguli obtained his B.S. (Chemical Engineering) from Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA in 1970. He worked in the R&D division of Engelhard Minerals & Chemicals Inc before his return to India as a Production Engineer at Enamelnagar Development Corporation Ltd, a land development company, which was also a manufacturer of ceramic raw materials, and consultant engineers for ceramic technology – where he went on to become a Director, and then the company’s Managing Director.

In 1999, he started his own proprietary business, Ganguli Ceramics, manufacturing frits and colours for the enamelware, art pottery, bone china, sanitaryware and tile industries, as also different types of specialty frits for sale in India and abroad.

Apart from his business interests, and his work in various technical and manufacturing associations of various fields of ceramics, he is an active sportsman, and is currently the President of the West Bengal branch of the Japan Karate Association of India. He is also an active social worker, being a Past President (92-93 & 09-10) of the Rotary Club of Calcutta South East. He is a council member of the All India Pottery Manufacturers’ Association. He co-founded the Porcelain Enameller’s Association in 1975.

At present, Mr Ganguli is serving as the President of the Porcelain Enamellers’ Association, and Treasurer of The Indian Ceramic Society and of All India Pottery Manufacturers’ Association.

Dr Shyamal K. Bhadra, Scientist-G, CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI), Kolkata, is presently working in the advanced areas of fibre optics and nonlinear optics and coordinating various national and international research projects. Dr Bhadra became a Member of the Executive Council of the Optical Society of India in 2006. He has served as Members of different sub-committees constituted by Department of Information Technology and Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India.

Dr Bhadra obtained his BSc (Physics Hons) and MSc (Physics) degrees both from the University of North Bengal, Darjeeling. He obtained his PhD degree in science from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. He participated in an international post graduate course on vacuum science and technology, jointly organized by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and University of Bombay, under the sponsorship from UNESCO in 1979. After serving for a brief period in analytical and planetary optics division of Carl Zeiss Instruments, Dr Bhadra joined CGCRI in 1984 in the fibre optics programme of the Institute.

Dr Bhadra has published more than sixty papers in national and international journals and has got five national and international patents in the last couple of years. He had been invited by international forums abroad for delivering lectures in several occasions and visited universities/institutes in European countries. He is the recipient of Deokaran award in glass given by The Indian Ceramic Society. Dr Bhadra is a Life Member of The Indian Ceramic Society. Presently he is a member of Optical Society of America (OSA) and American Ceramic Society (ACerS).

Mr Swapan Kr Guha (b. 1957) is a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Ceramics. He started his career with Kerala Ceramics Ltd, a unit of Kerala Government undertaking, as Research and Development Officer. Ceramic bodies and coloured glazes developed by him gave encouraging results. Implemented on shop floor, these were appreciated by many star hotels in India. After serving a couple of years there, he joined Bharat Potteries Ltd, Jaipur as Technical Advisor in 1988 and was soon elevated to the position of Chief Executive (Works). He later joined the Board of Directors as Director (Works). Mr Guha visited Italy and France and attended RIMINI Ceramic Trade Fair. Subsequently, he joined NCL Industries Ltd, as General Manager (Ceramics) which is a part of Nagarjuna Group.

Mr Guha was instrumental in establishing Jaipur Ceramics Pvt Ltd (in 1996) which is the largest Bone China Unit, under one roof, in India. During this period, he visited many advanced Tableware units in Korea, China, England and many other European countries several times. For the last one decade, he is a regular participant in the Ambiente Trade Fair in Frankfurt.

The Founder Chairman of the Rajasthan Chapter, The Indian Ceramic Society, Mr Guha is the Managing Director of Hopewell Ceramics (P) Ltd, established by him in 2002. The company is engaged in producing ceramic colour and frits. His diversified interest in the field of ceramics and related areas has always been appreciated by (Dr) Prof. R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister of India. He is an Advisor to TIFAC, Govt of India; Chairman, Apex Committee Technology Vision, 2002 Mission Projects in Pottery Sector, Dept of Science and Technology, Govt of India; Director, Nagarjuna Cerchem (P) Ltd, Hyderabad.

Mr Guha is the recipient of “M. G. Bhagat Memorial Award” (1998) of All India Pottery Manufacturers’ Association for outstanding contribution in pottery and allied industries and “Prof. Sasadhar Ray Memorial Award” of The Indian Ceramic Society for Industrial Excellence in 1999. A past President of the All India Pottery Manufacturers' Association, Mr Guha was also the Hony Jt Secretary and of The Indian Ceramic Society.

Prof. F. D. Gnanam (b. 1944) graduated from the University of Madras in Physics and obtained his Ph.D. degree from the same University in 1981. After serving in Government Colleges for 10 years, he joined Anna University in 1980 and retired from service on superannuation in May 2004 and presently he is a ceramic consultant.

Prof. Gnanam initiated research activities in the area of ceramics at Anna University, developed it into a centre of excellence and became the founder Director of the Centre for Ceramic Technology, Anna University. To his credit Prof. Gnanam was the recipient of “Life Time Achievement Award 2004” for his contribution to ceramic education in India and to ceramic R&D by the Indian Refractory Makers’ Association, Kolkata; President, The Indian Ceramic Society (2007-2008); President, Indian Institute of Ceramics, Kolkata (2003-2004); Vice-President, Indian Institute of Ceramics, Kolkata (2001-2002); Member, Editorial Advisory Board, “Transactions of the Indian Ceramic Society”; Head of Indian delegation of Indo-Japan Seminar on Advanced Ceramics held at Nagoya, Japan in July 2000; JSPA Fellow, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya (September-November 2002); Visiting Professor, Osaka University, Japan (May-August 2001); Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellow, Germany three times (1984-85, 1987-88 and 1999).

Prof. Gnanam has guided 20 scholars leading to Ph.D. degree, edited one book on “Sol-Gel Processing of Advanced Ceramics”, published 141 research papers in the international journals, handled more than 16 research projects and has organized 12 international/national conferences. His research areas of interest are : sol-gel processing of oxide ceramics, bioceramics, ceramic membranes and utilization of Tamil Nadu clays for value added products.

Mr Kaushik Basu is presently working as the Vice-President of Surya Engineering Co., Kolkata and also as the Technical Advisor of Keshab Machineries Pvt Ltd, Kolkata. Mr Basu completed his schooling from Calcutta Boys’ School and graduated with BE in Mechanical Engineering in the year 1998. He has been in the machine design and manufacturing environment since then. His field of work includes Ceramic Machineries, Machines for Chemical Plants, Calcination Process Equipments, Continuous Rotary Kilns and Effluent Treatment Plants.

Prof. P. K. Das Poddar (b. 1946) obtained his M.Tech. degree in Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology with specialization in Ceramic Technology from the University of Calcutta (CU) in 1969. He received Ph.D. degree from the same University in 1975. After serving the industries, he joined CU as a Lecturer in 1976, became Reader in 1982 and became Professor in the year 1993. He is a recognized Ph.D. supervisor and acted as convener of Ph.D. committee on Ceramic Engineering of the University of Calcutta. He is the author of 66 scientific papers. Eleven (11) research scholars have received Ph.D. degree under his research guidance. He was the member of Senate and Syndicate of the University of Calcutta and was the Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology of the University. His research topics are: effective utilization of fly-ash, studies on low cement castables, synthetic high alumina/mullite aggregates, spinel bonded basic castables, role of nano-zirconia, nano alumina, nano silica, and nano titania in low cement castables etc. He is the recipient of Deokaran Award in 1995, 2005 and 2007. He is the life member of The Indian Ceramic Society and Indian Institute of Ceramics. He was the President of Indian Institute of Ceramics. At present he is Sir Rashbehari Ghosh Chair Professor of the University of Calcutta.

Mr Swapan Kumar Garai obtained his bachelor degree in Ceramic Technology from the College of Ceramic Technology (now Govt College of Engineering and Ceramic Technology), University of Calcutta in the year 1977. He started his professional career as a junior Engineer in Ferro Coating and Colours, Joka in 1977, where he worked for only one year. In 1978 he joined the Research and Development Centre for Iron and Steel (RDCIS), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Ranchi and presently he is working as the Deputy General Manager.

During his service in RDCIS, SAIL, Ranchi he has handled several assignments, viz. development and application of Al2O3-SiC-C refractories for BF cast-house (Taphole & Trough); development and manufacturing of MgO-C bricks (Pitch & Resin bonding) in RSP (LDBP), BSP (RMP), SRU (RRRP, BRP), for application in BOF and Steel Ladle; development and application of Mag-chrome refractories for Twin Hearth Furnace roof bricks in SRU (BRP)/BSP; development and application of castable (LMC, ULCC, Al2O3-SiC-C, self flow) for lining in different furnaces; application of ceramic fibre insulation material in Annealing, Galvanizing and Heat treatment furnaces for energy saving; introduction of softwares for increasing efficiency of brick making, lining design and operation (Expert system, FEM stress analysis, ANN modeling); establishment of facilities for non-standard testing of refractories at RDCIS laboratory, etc.

Mr Garai worked as visiting scientist to Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Refractories, Kharkov; Leningrad Scientific Research Institute, Leningrad; MEFOS, Sweden; Moirana Steel, Norway; Radex Refractory Plant, Austria; Bepex, Germany and Tchnichermet Research Institute, Moscow. He also worked as a consultant to Egyptian Iron and Steel Company (EISCO), Egypt for feasibility study and setting up in-house plant for production of BF cast house refractories.

Mr Garai has more than 50 publications and has also presented 40 papers in several national and international conferences. He has sealed 17 patents and filed another 5 patents. To his credit he has sealed 4 copyright and filed another one. He is the recipient of SAIL Gold medal award from Institute of Engineering; Best oral/poster presentation award from NMD in 1993, 1995, 1998 and 2004 and Best poster presentation award from The Indian Ceramic Society in 1992 and 1996. A Life member of The Indian Ceramic Society, Mr Garai is also a Life member of Indian Institute of Metals.

Dr Arup Ghosh

Dr Arup Ghosh graduated in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Calcutta. Later on he obtained his Ph.D. (Tech) Degree from the same University. Dr Ghosh started his career as a Junior Manager (R&D) at Steel Authority of India Ltd. He subsequently joined Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute in 1983 and presently working in the Refractories Division of the Institute. He has an experience of 25 years’ research in the field of refractories and oxide ceramics. In 2004 he visited University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany under DAAD Fellowship programme to carry out research work on Porous Refractories. He also visited Russia (1989) for joint collaborative R&D work on Refractories. He presented technical papers in International Conferences on Refractories held at USA (1997) and Brazil (2009).

Dr Ghosh’s areas of interest include sintering and microstructural analysis of refractory materials derived from natural and synthetic raw materials. He had worked on sintering and microstructure development of different oxide systems like dolomite, lime, magnesium aluminate spinel, magnesia-chrome spinel, mullite and zirconia-mullite from beach sand minerals etc. He has to his credit more than 60 papers published in different national and international journals and 15 patents. At present he is engaged in the development of value added refractory products from Indian Bauxite, Al2O3-Spinel Carbon based Refractories, improvement of MgO-C refractory and Lime based refractories.

Mr Prithwijit Guha (b. 1956) obtained his B.Sc. with honours in Chemistry from the University of Calcutta in 1977, B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering in 1980 and M.Tech. in Ceramic Engineering with Gold Medal in 1982 from the same University. He has also obtained P.G. diploma in Business Management from the Institute of Modern Management in the year 1982.

Mr Guha started his professional career with Bharat Refractories Ltd in 1983 and worked there for only one year. In 1984 he joined Foresco India Ltd and worked there till 2000 as Development Manager and Technical Manager. In the year 2000 he joined Govt College of Engineering and Ceramic Technology and till then he has been serving the College as an Associate Professor.

Mr Guha has a number of publications in several journals and proceedings. He is the Life members of The Indian Ceramic Society, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers and Materials Research Society.

Prof. Saikat Maitra is presently working as a Professor at the Dept of Ceramic Technology, at the Govt College of Engineering and Ceramic Technology (GCECT). From 2008-2010, he worked as Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia. He has passed B.Sc. (Hons in Chemistry) from Presidency College, Kolkata, B.Tech. in Chemical Technology and M.Tech. in Ceramic Technology from the University College of Science and Technology, University of Calcutta. He received his Ph.D. degree in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Calcutta in 1996.

Prof. Maitra has working experiences in different ceramic industries. He has also worked as a Scientist at Central Fuel Research Institute, Dhanbad, India, prior to his joining the GCECT.

Prof. Maitra has published 110 research papers in several international journals and presented 40 research papers in different Conferences. He has authored two books on Ceramic Technology and holds one European patent. Under his research guidance three research scholars have been awarded Ph.D. degree and presently seven research scholars have been working under his supervision. His research area of interest includes sol-gel science, thin film and membrane, reaction kinetics and nanotechnology.

Prof. Maitra is the Editor of the Journal of Coal Ash Institute of India, Hony Associate Editor of the “Transactions of the Indian Ceramic Society” and a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of “Indoceram”, a journal published by All Indian Pottery Manufacturers’ Association. He is a reviewer of many reputed international journals. He is a Member of the American Ceramic Society, Institute of Engineers (India), Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, Material Research Society of India, Coal Ash Institute of India and Science Association of Bengal. Prof. Maitra presently is the Hony. Secretary of Indian Institute of Ceramics. He is also a council member of The Indian Ceramic Society.

Mr Atanu Ranjan Pal is presently the Chief of Refractory Technology Group of Tata Steel, Jamshedpur.

Mr Pal is a Ceramic Engineer from the College of Ceramic Technology (now Gvt College of Engineering and Ceramic Technology), Kolkata and has acquired a Diploma in Business Management from XLRI, Jamshedpur.

He has experience of working in the areas of Steel Plant Refractories, Coke Oven and Blast Furnace Project Management, Business Process Re-engineering and Human Resource Management.

He is a member of the Tata Steel Global performance improvement team. He has visited many refractory manufacturing units, steel plants and refractory research units in Europe, Japan and China. He has published more than 20 papers in national and international Journals.

Prof. T. K. Parya

Prof. Tapan Kr Parya obtained his B.Tech. and M.Tech. degrees from the Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Calcutta. He was awarded with Ph.D. (Tech) degree in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Calcutta in 1992. He is a well known academician in the fields of ceramic science and technology. He is actively engaged in ceramic teaching and research in the Ceramic Engineering Division, University of Calcutta since 1989. He has so far published more than 60 (sixty) papers in peer reviewed national and international journals. He guided 3 (three) research scholars for Ph.D. degree. Now 7 (seven) Ph.D. students has been working under his guidance. He has also vast industrial experience in various chemical, ceramic and allied industries. He is closely associated with a number of scientific and technological societies, reputed journals and ceramic industries.

Dr Ritwik Sarkar

Dr Ritwik Sarkar (b. 1972), Associate Professor, Dept of Ceramic Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, obtained his B.Sc. (Tech.) (1993) from the University of Calcutta, M.Tech. (1995) from Banaras Hindu University and Ph.D. (2003) from Jadavpur University. Prior to this current profession he has worked in IFGL Refractories Ltd during 2008-2009, Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute during 2001-2008, Research and Consultancy Directorate, ACC Ltd, Thane during 1999-2001 and H & R Johnson (I) Ltd, Thane in 1995. He has also worked as Post Doctoral Fellow in the Institute of Ceramic Components in Mechanical Engineering (IKKM), RWTH, Aachen, Germany, with DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Scholarship, during 2003-2004.

The current areas of interests and research works of Dr Sarkar include Bioceramics, Refractories (shaped, aggregates and castables), Whitewares & Clay-based Products and Waste Utilization. He is also guiding students for Ph.D. degree in the field of Refractories and Bioceramics.

A National Merit Certificate Awardee (1989), Dr Sarkar ranked First Class First in graduation, received Gold Medal from BHU for securing first position in Post-graduate level and also received Awards from IRMA (1993), AIPMA (1993), Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (1995), for his Academic excellence. Dr Sarkar has also received Dr R. L. Thakur Memorial Award for Young Scientist (<35 yrs) for his contribution in Ceramics and Materials Science from The Indian Ceramic Society in 2005.

A Life Member of The Indian Ceramic Society and Indian Institute of Ceramics, Dr Sarkar is the Assistant Editor of IRMA (Indian Refractory Makers’ Association) Journal, reviewer of many prestigious research journals and council member of the Indian Institute of Ceramics. Dr Sarkar has more than 80 research publications (35 in Science Citation Indexed Journals) and has 9 National and 1 International Patents to his credit.

Dr H. S. Tripathi

Dr H. S. Tripathi graduated from the University of Calcutta in Ceramic Engineering and obtained his Ph.D. (Tech) degree in Ceramic Engineering from the same University. He joined Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata as Scientist in the year 1997. He worked two years as post-doctoral fellow at Boston University, Massachusetts, USA and 4 months as academic visitor at Imperial College London. He has more than 17 years’ research experience in different fields of refractories. His research areas of interest include materials science and engineering with special reference to ceramics and refractories including synthesis and processing of high performance synthetic refractory raw materials, refractory processing and characterization in particular magnesia-carbon, mullite, Al2O3-MgO-MgAl2O4, mag-chrome, oxide-non-oxide system and value addition to natural raw materials. He has published 22 research papers in SCI journals and many papers in conference proceedings. He has 5 Indian patents to his credit. He received many fellowships and awards, like Raman Research Fellowship, Post-doctoral fellowship from Boston University, USA, Malaviya Award from The Indian Ceramic Society, etc. He is a fellow of Indian Institute of Ceramics and Life members of Millennium Institute of Energy and Environment Management and The Indian Ceramic Society.

Prof. Parag Bhargava

Prof. Parag Bhargava obtained his B.Tech. (Metallurgical Engg.) from IIT, Bombay in the year 1991, M.S. (1994) and Ph.D. (Materials Science Engineering, 1996) from the University of Alabama. He worked as a Post-Doctoral research fellow in the Center for Ceramics Research, Rutgers University, USA during 1997-1998.

Prof. Bhargava started his professional career as a Faculty at Materials Science Centre, IIT Kharagpur, where he worked from 1998 to 2005. He then joined IIT-Bombay as an Associate Professor in the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, where he has now been elevated to the position of Professor.

Prof. Bhargava is a member of the Editorial Board of ‘Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation’ and ‘Transactions of the Indian Ceramic Society’. He was also a member of the Editorial Board of ‘Advances in Applied Ceramics’ during 2004-2009.

Prof. Bhargava is the recipient of ‘Excellence in Teaching Award’, IIT Bombay (2008); First Prize, Inter-IIT competition on, “New Environments for Learning, Teaching, Research, Creation, Use and Preservation of Digital Resources”, Pan-IIT meet Mumbai (2006); ‘Silver Medal’ at Tech. based commercializable innovation at Incubiz (Anveshan 05) organized by IIM Ahmedabad (2005); ‘Young Engineer of the Year (2002) Award’ from the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE).

He is the Joint Secretary of Powder Metallurgy Association of India (PMAI) (2007-2011).

G. G. Dholaria

Mr Ghanshyam Govindram Dholaria (b. 1953), passed Diploma in Ceramic Technology form the institute of Lukhdhirsinhji Engineering College, Morbi, Gujarat in the year 1975. He started his professional career as a Chemist in Parshuram Pottery works C. Ltd, Morbi and worked there for 6 years form July 1975 to January 1982. In 1982 he moved to M/s Noble Ceramic Industries, Wakaner, Gujarat and worked there till 1992. Thereafter he joined M/s Noble Refractories, Wakaner, Gujarat as a Technical Director, and is working in the same position till date. Here he is responsible in advising the entire range of products, coordination with application engineering, involvement in various R&D work and in design and development, its implementation in plant scale production, introduction of many new products, etc.

Mr Dholaria was appointed as a part time lecturer (Ceramics) in Lukhdirisinhji Engineering College, Morbi by the Director of Technical Education Board, Gujarat in 1979. He is a member of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESI), Ahmedabad and the Member-Secretary, of Guajarat Regional Board ESI Corporation, Ahmedabad. He is also a member of many other professional bodies, e.g. Ahmedabad Management Association; Operational Group for Development of Ceramic Clusters of Gujarat; Advisory Committee of Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Naroda Centre, Ahmedabad; Indian Institute of Refractories Engineers, New Delhi; Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, Mumbai; Indo-Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mumbai, etc.

A Life Member of The Indian Ceramic Society, Mr Dholaria is also a general committee member of Indian Refractory Makers’ Association (IRMA) and President of Institute Management Committee (IMC)

Mr Dholaria is the recipient of various awards and achievements. To name a few: ‘National Award’ (2001) in recognition of his performance as a small entrepreneurs, awarded by Ministry of Small Scale Industries (Govt of India); ‘National Award’ (2005) for research and development effort in small industries, awarded by Ministry of Small Scale Industries (Govt of India); ‘National Award’ (2006) for quality products in small industries awarded by Ministry of Small Scale Industries (Govt of India); ‘National Award’ (2008) for research and development (first prize) in small scale sector, instituted by ministry of M.S.M. E. (Govt of India); ‘IRMA Award’ (twice, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009) for overall excellence in performance; ‘State Award’ (2010) for overall excellence in performance and contributions & achievements in the field of industries, and many more.

S. D. Majumdar

Mr Sachi Dulal Majumdar obtained his M.Tech. degree in Ceramic Technology from the University College of Science and Technology, Kolkata and has about 37 years’ experience in the field of refractories, ceramic tiles, construction chemicals and other ceramic products. Development of BF through castable, pitch bonded dolomite bricks in the field of refractories, soluble salts, stains in tile field, cement admixture for RMC and ceramic filters for automotive industries are of special mention to his credit.

Mr Majumdar worked in various organizations, namely RDCIS, SAIL, Ranchi and ACC Refractories Ltd, Chirkunda. At present he is the Advisor (R&D) in H & R Johnson (India) Ltd, Mumbai.

He is the recipient of National Award from Steel and Mines Ministry, Life Time Achievement Award from Materials Research Society of India, Jawahar Award from SAIL etc. He has about 70 publications and 6 patents, mainly in the field of refractories to his credit. He is a Faculty of the Institute of Energy Management, Mumbai Chapter. Mr Majumdar is a Life Member of the Indian Ceramic Society.

Prof. L. M. Manocha

Dr Lalit Mohan Manocha, F.N.A.Sc., FGSA, is the Professor and Head of the Department of Materials Science at Sardar Patel University, Gujarat. Prior to this, he was a senior Scientist at National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi. After his basic degrees in Physics from Kurukshetra University, he obtained his Ph.D. in Science in 1976 from Delhi University for his work on Development and Characterization of Carbon Fibers, the work he did at National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi. His first Post Doctoral was at Institut Chemische Technik, University of Karlsruhe, Germany during 1977-1978 as Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship wherein he worked on Development of Carbon-Carbon Composites. Later on, he had JSPS Fellowship at Tokyo Institute of Technology during 1985-86, Foreign Professor at TIT during 1998, UNIDO Expert to South Korea in 1991, NSF visits to Clemson University since 2003 and so on.

Prof. Manocha has undertaken many National (DST, DRDO, DAE, UGC etc.) as well as International projects (DST-NSF, IFCPAR, DST-BMBF, DST-RFBR etc) in the area of Advanced Carbon Materials and Composites. His current research and development interests are in the field of Carbon Fibers and Carbon-carbon Composites for Strategic and Industrial Applications; Processing, Structure, Properties Relationship; Development of Carbon Nanomaterials, Porous Carbons and Carbon Nanocomposites for Structural, Thermal and Energy Applications; Carbon based Ceramics and Composites; High Temperature Ceramics and Ceramic Matrix Composites.

Prof. Manocha also served on a highly influential five-member Task Force under the chairmanship of the former Indian president, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, to develop advanced composite nose tips for India’s ICBM, Agni Missile. He has organized several National / International Technical meetings on carbon, ceramics and composites. He is on the advisory board of several National / International organizations. He is the Fellow of NASI and GSA. He is the recipient of many awards including CSIR Technology Award, Homi J Bhabha Award (UGC) Vikram Sarabhai Award, MRSI Medal 1995, Superconductivity and Materials Size Prize 2011, and 2011 Bridge Building Award of Engineering Ceramic Group of American Ceramics Society.

Dr S. N. Misra

Dr Satyendra Nath Misra obtained M.Sc. and Ph.D. from IIT, Kharagpur in the year 1983 and 1988 respectively. He has more than 16 years of work experience in research, product development, administration, manufacturing and in marketing areas with different senior positions in ceramic companies in India and abroad. The companies he served include Grindwell Norton, Bangalore, Orient Abrasives Ltd, Bhiwadi, Tata Refractories Ltd, Belpahar, Ambe Sneyd Oxides Ltd, Bhiwadi, Bharat Potteries Ltd, Jaipur, Saudi Ceramics, Riyadh, KSA, Aditya Birla Insulators, Rishra, Dilip Ceramics, Jaipur.

He has developed processes for low mass kiln furnitures, ceramic foam filter for metal filtration, SiC material for microwave absorber, kyanite based insulation bricks, slip cast nitride bonded SiC products, ceramic colours and frits, luminiscent glaze on ceramic tiles, surface effect glaze for stonewares and single fired steatite glaze, etc.

Dr Misra joined Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Naroda Centre as Scientist-F on August 14, 2006 and later took over the responsibility as the Scientist-in-Charge of the Centre. Under his leadership the institute had conducted ~10 T&D programmes at CG&CRI, Naroda Centre and ~69 entrepreneurs & supervisors were trained on various topics of industrial interest.

Dr Misra has to his credit ~15 research papers and delivered a large number of invited lectures on different topics of current interest in international and national seminars, symposia and workshops. He is a Life Member of The Indian Ceramic Society and Indian Institute of Ceramics. During his industries association, he had been awarded Total Customer Service Award from Norton Co, USA and Rotary International Fellowship to visit England, USA and Bolivia. During his association with CG&CRI, he had been selected under UNIDO programme to visit China in the year 2008. He had been selected as Ph.D. guide (internal) for registration at ISM, Dhanbad.

Dr Pradip

Dr Pradip, currently the Chief Scientist and the Head of Process Engineering Innovation Lab at Tata Research Development & Design Centre (TRDDC), Pune, received his B.Tech. in Metallurgical Engineering from IIT, Kanpur in 1975 and M.S. & Ph.D. in Materials Science and Mineral Engineering from University of California at Berkeley in 1977 and 1981 respectively. He spent three years as a scientific officer at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) before joining TRDDC in 1984. His main areas of research include particle science & technology, mineral processing, nanotechnology, design and development of performance chemicals based on molecular modeling, applied surface and colloid chemistry, mathematical modeling & simulation of particulate processing systems, colloidal processing of advanced ceramics, waste recycling and cement chemistry.

With more than 150 publications and twelve patents to his credit, Pradip is the recipient of several honours including VASVIK Award for outstanding contributions to industrial research, National Metallurgist Award and Hindustan Zinc Gold Medal from Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), Materials Research Society of India (MRSI) Medal, IIME Mineral Beneficiation Award and Kuczynski Prize of International Institute of Science of Sintering (IISS). He is also the past president (2006-2008) of Indian Institute of Mineral Engineers (IIME) and member of the national executive council of the Indian Institute of Metals.

Pradip is elected Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE), Fellow, Indian Institute of Metals (FIIM) and Fellow, Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM), UK.

Pradip is member of the editorial board of several journals including International Journal of Mineral Processing, Transactions, Indian Institute of Metals, Journal of Resources Processing Society of Japan and KONA, Japan. He has edited several special issues of international journals on topics of contemporary research interest, the most recent one on Advances in Particle Technology, a special issue of Advances in Powder Technology, published by Elsevier in December 2010.

Prof. D. C. Agrawal

Prof. D. C. Agrawal is an Emeritus Fellow in the Materials Science Programme at IIT Kanpur where he served as a Professor up to 2005. His major research and teaching areas have been zirconia ceramics, ceramic thin films, powder preparation and ceramic processing. He obtained his education at IIT Kharagpur (B.Tech.) and Columbia University, New York (M.S. and Eng.Sc.D). Two of his papers were awarded the Malaviya Award of The Indian Ceramic Society. He delivered the 11th M. G. Bhagat Memorial Lecture at the 62nd Annual Session of the Society held in 1998 and has been a member of the Council of the Society earlier also. He is a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Ceramics and is a member of several national and international societies. He was a member of the Editorial Boards of the ‘Transactions of the Indian Ceramic Society’ (1997-98), ‘Bulletin of Materials Science’ (1992-1994, 2008-2010) and ‘Materials Forum’ (Switzerland).

Pankaj Mehrotra

Mr Pankaj Mehrotra obtained his B.Tech. in Ceramic Engineering, gradated in 1987 from Institute Of Technology, Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

At present he is the Head of Operation of M/s Ciria India Limited. Ciria India is a joint venture company between Thermal Ceramics (Division of Morgan Crucible, UK) and Carborundum Universal Ltd, Chennai (a divison of Murugappa Group). The company mainly deals with refractory engineering and contracting work with special focus in Hydrocarbon Processing industry. Earlier he had worked with M/s Engineers India Ltd, New Delhi (Govt of India undertaking) as a refractory specialist and subsequently with M/s Murugappa Morgan Thermal Ceramics, Chennai. He has potential in the fields of refractory design, selection of materials, detailed engineering and applications.

J. S. Minhas

Mr Jaswant Singh Minhas (b. 1940) obtained diploma in Ceramics in 1959, which was awarded by the Director of Industries, UP, Kanpur. In 1960 he started his own factory ‘Silico & Chemico Porcelain Works’ at Khurja in partnership basis. The company produces chemical porcelain wares under ‘J’ brand and the products are extesively exported to USA, Brazil, Equedor, Spain, UK, Sweden, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Muscat, Oman, Ghana, Nigeria, Nepal, Malaysia and Vietnam, besides a very strong presence in Indian market.

Mr Minjhas is the recipient of several awards and recognitions including a ‘Special Felicitation Award’ from The Indian Ceramic Society (2008); ‘1st Dr T. N. Sharma Memorial Award’ from The Indian Ceramic Society, Khurja chapter, (1996); ‘1st Prize’ in export (ceramics and glass) category from UP Govt (2008-2009); ‘Two Star status certificate’ from Director of Industries (2009).

A Life member of The Indian Ceramic Society, Mr Minhas is also a member of Western UP Chamber of Commerce, Capexil, Khurja. Pottery Manufacturers Association, Indian Institute of Ceramics and All India Pottery Manufacturers’ Association.

Antariksh Modi

Mr Antariksh Modi is a Director of Shri Modi Levigated Kaolin Pvt Ltd since 2008. He holds a MBA degree in Marketing from M.E.T Bandra, Mumbai, India with an internship in ZEE TV, UK office. He has done a short course in international business from London School of Economics. He is responsible for the overall working of the Company and is instrumental in making strategic decisions for the Company. He is a Life member of The Indian Ceramic Society, Corporate member and Executive Committee member of All India Pottery Manufacturers’ Association and a Life member of Mineral Processing Engineering Association.

Dr C. S. Prasad

Dr C. S. Prasad (b. 1958) did his graduation in Ceramics from the Indian Institute of Ceramics, Kolkata in 1983. He worked as a trainee at High Tension Insulator factory, Ranchi in 1980 and as a Research Assistant at the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad during 1981-82. In May 1982, he joined the Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI), Khurja Centre, where he has been involved in research and development of traditional ceramics till date.

Dr Prasad obtained his M.Tech. and Ph.D. degrees in Mineral Engineering in the year 1990 and 2005 respectively from the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. His main research interest includes development of whiteware bodies and glaze, low cost ceramic products, bone china porcelain, high alumina porcelain for technical application, HT and LT insulator, etc. He has about 30 publications in different national and international journals. He is also an author of a Hindi book entitled, “Pottery Vigyan Parichay”. He is the recipient of Ganpule Award twice conferred by The Indian Ceramic Society for publication of best paper in an Indian journal in the field of whiteware ceramics.

Dr Prasad has been associated with The Indian Ceramic Society for the last 23 years and has become a Life Member of the Society in 2003. At present, he is the Secretary, The Indian Ceramic Society, Khurja Chapter.

Shreekant Somany

Mr Shreekant Somany, son of Sri Hira Lall Somany, after obtaining B.Sc. from the University of Calcutta, joined his family business in 1969. Initially he has undergone training at SIMILOR in Geneva, Switzerland in Foundry practices and Machine shop, and on return from abroad, established Soma Plumbing & Fixtures Ltd in the year 1971 and run the unit profitably until 1981.

In the year 1981, Mr Somonay moved to Hyderabad to head the Glass Division of Hindustan Sanitaryware & Industries Ltd (a group company) – M/s Associated Glass Industries Ltd (AGI). This was a sick unit, which was successfully turned around and converted into a very good profit making company. In the year 1992, he came back to Delhi to head yet another group company, M/s SPL Ltd, now called Somany Ceramics Ltd, one of the well-established and largest manufacturer of glazed ceramic tiles in the country. In 1994 he took charge of this country as its Managing Director, and in 2005, he became its Chairman and Managing Director. When he took over as the Manging Director in the year 1994, he developed company’s external market for export of its products to various countries including Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, Philippines, Ireland and Middle East, Sri Lanka, etc.

Mr Somany was instrumental in Somany Ceramics Ltd becoming the first Indian ceramic tile company to have received patent under Indian Patent act for its revolutionary “High Abrasion Resistant Glaze Composite”, known as VC (Veilcraft) Shield. He was personally involved as an inventor in the whole process of this invention.

Mr Somany has been associated with several Federations and Associations in various positions, viz. past President of All India Pottery Manufacturers’ Association; past President, Confederation of Construction Products and Services; past Chairman, Indian Council for Ceramic Tile and Sanitaryware; past President, Rotary Club of Dekhi Midtown; past Chairman, Northern Region Family Business Council, Confederation of Indian Industry; Member, Northern Region Committee, CII; Managing Committee Member, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, etc.

Mr Somany has led the Australia-New Zealand Joint Business Council delegation organized by the Assocham and Ficci in the year 2000 and CII Business Leaders Mission to Sri lanka and Bangladesh in the year 2007-2008. He was also a member of the CII delegation to Russia led by Union Commerce Minister in September 2009.

Dr R. N. Das

Dr Rathindra Nath Das is an alumni of BHU-IT (B.Tech-Ceramics), Indian Institute of Science (M.Sc-Engg.) and Doctor of Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. Presently working as Head of the Ceramic Technological Institute, Corp. R&D, BHEL, Bangalore, he is committed in proving the capability of glass and ceramics to engineering industries as breakthrough advantage for performance improvement.

Dr Das has contributed to multidisciplinary product development utilizing recent advancement in honeycomb ceramic extrusions, injection moulding of ceramic components, thermal stabilization of gamma alumina catalyst support, glass-ceramics for high temperature hermetic seals with steel, compressive seals for solid oxide fuel cells, catalytic combustion of fuel gas, high voltage porcelains and glass insulators. He is responsible for development and extensive field evaluation of many first Indian prototypes such as first catalytic converter fitted passenger vehicles (1998) on Indian road, first diesel particulate filter (DPF) fitted state transport buses (2002) and first Euro-compliant Diesel Locomotives (2003) for metro-rail which are still running and compliant to intended emission norms.

A recipient of Sri Rama Satyanarayana Memorial Award for Excellence in Technology (2004) and best paper award (1995) from Materials Research Society of India, Dr Das has also been elected successive terms to the national council of The Indian Ceramic Society since 2009 till 2012.

Prof. P. Manohar

Dr P. Manohar is the Professor and Head of the Department of Ceramic Technology, A.C.Tech campus, Anna University, Chennai. He obtained his Graduate and Post Graduate degrees respectively from Madurai-Kamaraj University (Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai) and University of Madras (Regional Engineering College, Tiruchy). He received his Ph.D. degree from Anna University, Chennai. In 1978 he joined Anna University, where he has been involved in teaching the students (both UG and PG) of Engineering and Technology. He served the Centre for Ceramic Technology, Anna University, Chennai since its inception and initiated the research.

Prof. Manohar is the principal investigator of major research projects funded by MHRD, AICTE, UGC and co-investigator for one project funded by ICMR. He was a Visiting Professor of Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan.

Prof. Manohar has published 25 research papers in national and international journals and presented many papers in national and international Conferences. His research interest includes electronic ceramic materials, ferrites, structural materials, fuel cells and bioceramic materials. Under his able guidance 7 students have already received their Ph.D. degrees in the field of Ceramic Technology and Materials Science and many more are presently working for their Ph.D. and M.Tech. He has also guided more than 25 M.Tech. and MS students of Ceramic Technology.

Dr R. Ramachandra Rao

Dr R. Ramachandra Rao, presently working as scientist E1, in the Materials Science Division, National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore, completed his M.Sc. in Chemistry with first rank in 1985 from Mangalore University. After working as a Lecturer in Dental Materials Science at College of Dental Surgery, KMC, Manipal from 1985 to 1989, he started his research carrier in NAL on processing of advanced ceramics in the year 1990 for M.Phil. in Materials Science from Mangalore University. In 1993, he joined as a Scientist in NAL and continued his research on synthesis, processing and consolidation of advanced ceramic materials for engineering and biomedical applications. Simultaneously he received his Ph.D. in Materials Science from Mangalore University in 2001.

His fields of current interest are: synthesis and processing of nano ceramic materials, novel shaping techniques for ceramics, microfabrication of ceramics, development of porous ceramics, biomaterials and tissue engineering. He has undergone group training in fine ceramics and Japanese language course in Japan during 1998. He has successfully completed four projects and presently handling 2 projects.

Dr Rao has about 30 publications, 30 conference presentations to his credit. He is the recipient of prestigious ‘Sir C. V. Raman Young Scientist Award’ from Govt of Karnataka; ‘Sri Ramasathyanarayana Memorial Award’ from The Indian Ceramic Society, Bangalore Chapter; ‘IUMRS Young Research Award’; ‘IUMRS Best Poster Award’, etc.

Dr Rao has reviewed a number of research papers and projects. He is the Life member of number of professional societies like ISAMPE, MRSI, The Indian Ceramic Society, SBAO, RPSI, Swadeshi Vijnana Andolana, etc. He has taken leading role in popularizing science in vernacular language (Kannada) by writing and presenting popular and technical papers in Kannada as well as being an Editor of Kannada science magazine “KANAADA”. Added to this he is an Amateur Yakshagana (Dance Drama) Artist and Organizes Yakshagana programmes.

P. Madhusudan Reddy

Mr P. Madhusudan Reddy obtained B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Osmania University in 1986 and MBA in Marketing from the same University in 1988. He started his professional career with Binatone Electronics and worked there for 2 years till 1990. Since 1990 he has been associated with Bhanu Cerglaze – one of the reputed older frit manufacturers in India – on the commercial side.

Bhanu Cerglaze was started in the late eighties. It is involved in the supply of ceramic (transparent and opaque) glazed frits initially for the fast fired floor tile industry. Later on glossy, engobe, rustic and satin matt type of frits for the wall and porcelain tiles were also successfully developed. The customers include almost all major tile manufacturers in South and West India including H & R Johnson, Spartek, Sun Earth, Pedder, Regency, Sentini, etc.

In Bhanu, Mr Reddy is involved in locating new customers for niche applications and locating new sources for raw materials and machinery. For the past few years he has been working with the team at the factory to improve manufacturing efficiencies for focusing primarily on improving fuel conservation as fuel constitutes a major part of manufacturing cost. For the past several years his prime focus has been on the mechanical engineering activity.

In the recent past, Mr Reddy has been involved with the Hyderabad chapter of The Indian Ceramic Society’s efforts to disseminate information on the relevance on ceramics in today’s life to the current generation of students through organizing of relevant seminars and lectures by eminent ceramists.

Dr V. Viswabaskaran

Dr V. Viswabaskaran obtained his M.Tech and Ph.D. from Anna University, Chennai. He has more than 10 years’ industrial experience in various capacities and 5 years teaching experience at Anna University, Chennai. He started VB Ceramic Consultants by 2002, involving in developing and manufacturing all ceramic instruments and equipments under one roof. He is a life member of The Indian Ceramic Society and Indian Institute of Ceramics, Kolkata.

Representatives of BHU

Vice Chancellor (Prof. D. P. Singh)

Prof. D. P. Singh is the 24th Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. Earlier Prof Singh was the Vice-Chancellor of Dr Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar (MP), the oldest University of Madhya Pradesh. During his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Dr H. S. Gour University, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) re-accredited the University with "A" Grade in 2007 and the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India has declared to accord Central University Status to Dr Hari Singh Gour University.

Prior to his joining Dr Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar (MP), Prof. Singh has served PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education – an apex institution of MHRD at Bhopal as Professor in Environmental Science and Head HSE Division and has also served in Universities and colleges as well as in environmental organizations. He has 26 years of professional experience in different aspects of Management and Administration, Teaching and Training, Research and Development, project formulation and execution (both international and national), Educational Journalism including editing, Extension and Evaluation in various capacities.

Prof. Singh is contributing in the management of different National and State level bodies as member of their Executive Councils, Board of Governors/Society such as, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore, Pt. Dwarka Prasad Mishra Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, MP, Council of Science & Technology and MP Hindi Granth Academy.

Prof. Singh has 111 publications to this credit in the form of books, research papers, articles etc. He has also acted as Executive Editor of Indian Journal of Vocational Education. He has exposure to International programmes and experience of handling International projects. He is a widely travelled person and has visited United Kingdom (4 times), Germany, France, Norway, China, Australia, Hongkong, Thailand and Malaysia for academic pursuits. He has participated in several International programmes / seminars / conferences as Chairperson of technical sessions, group leader, invited speaker and delegate.

Prof. D. P. Singh possesses managerial and leadership capabilities and has wide experience pertaining to teaching, extension, research and educational planning and administration.

Head, Dept of Ceramic Technology

Prof. Om Prakash               

Representatives of Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute Director

Prof. Indranil Manna has taken over as Director of Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CG&CRI) with effect from March 1, 2010. Born on January 22, 1961, Prof. Manna obtained his B.E. degree from Calcutta University (B.E. College) in 1983 and M.Tech. degree in 1984 from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur. After a brief stint at Mishra Dhatu Nigam, Hyderabad, he joined IIT, Kharagpur in 1985 as Lecturer and rose to the position of Full Professor in 2003. He was in this position till he joined CG&CRI as Director.

Prof. Manna is a metallurgical engineer, a renowned educator and a prolific researcher. His significant contributions in the studies of amorphous/nanocrystalline Al-alloys, nano-fluid and laser/plasma assisted surface engineering greatly inspired the scientific community. His early contributions in moving boundary phase transformation are still widely cited. As a teacher, Prof. Manna has developed several new courses and taught subjects related to phase transformation, materials engineering, surface engineering, thermodynamics and X-ray diffraction. His research interest spans from structure-property correlation in engineering materials including synthesis/application of nano-materials, surface coating/engineering, phase transition, fuel cells, sensors, bainitic steel and mathematical modeling.

Prof. Manna worked as guest scientist in several institutions of excellence and universities abroad such as Max Planck Institute at Stuttgart, Technical University of Clausthal, Nanyang Technological University, Liverpool University, University of Ulm, etc.

Prof. Manna is a recipient of INSA Medal for Young Scientists, Young Metallurgist and Metallurgist of the Year Awards, MRSI Medal, AICTE career award, DAAD and the prestigious Humboldt Fellowships. He is also a recipient of the Acta Materialia Best Referee Award for years 1999 and 2003, respectively. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Bonn appointed Prof Manna as Honorary DAAD Advisor in India for three years, INAE selected him for Indian National Academy of Engineering-All India Council of Technical Education (INAE-AICTE) Distinguished Industry Professorship for 2007-08 to work with Tata Steel, and the Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) conferred upon him the GD Birla Gold Medal for 2008.

He has published about 225 peer-reviewed papers, supervised 14 Ph.D., 35 M.Tech. and 50 B.Tech. theses, carried out 32 sponsored projects worth over Rs 16 crore and also obtained a patent on amorphous AlCuTi alloy.

Prof. Manna is a Fellow (FNAE) of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, New Delhi; a Fellow (FNASc) of The National Academy of Sciences of India, Allahabad; and a Fellow (FASc) of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore.

Prof. Manna was the President of the Materials Science Section of the 97th Indian Science Congress held in Trivandrum during January 3-7, 2010. The INAE has recently awarded him the prestigious "INAE Chair" for two years. To date, he remains the third recipient of this prestigious chair.